Tag Archives: Author

We are here today with TG Ayer who has just released her latest book called DarkWorld.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born in Durban, South Africa, we moved around a lot when I was young so it was hard to make and keep friends- it was good that I loved reading because that was my escape.
I have two daughters, 15 & 18, who are the first to vet my books – they are harder on me than you’d expect lol. Continue reading →

It is sequel to The Star- a fantasy book which introduces Abbii, an eighteen year old who discovers that she has powers and decides to go on the run to search for the answers she seeks. The Mirage follows on directly, proving that even with the information she’s found, Abbii is more lost than ever. She longs for the one person she’ll never forget- her best friend Jake, though will she allow Darkness to consume her so that she can find him? It is a story of friendship, betrayal and the power one has within their emotions.

2. What was the inspiration for The Star and The Mirage?

All of my work, including these two books, are based on the differences between Light and Darkness- not just as elements but the good and evil within every person. I wanted to write a tale that explained that even if you are ‘good’, things happen that may change the way you think. Even if you lose your way and question everything in your life, that ‘good’ still remains. Life is what you make it, after all. Through Abbii’s eyes, I tell a tale of how easy it is for each and every one of us to lose our way, but also the clear fact that things will get better. You just have to believe in yourself.

3. Who do you see yourself as the most in your books?

I guess every writer sees a bit of themselves in each of their characters, I’m no different. Abbii feels lost and doesn’t know how to make the life she wants- I have never known what career I wanted or how to get through the toughest of times. Nate and Jake stand for determination- no matter how tough times have been or will be in the future, I’m not giving up. Max, Alice, even the twins, they are all parts of the person I am, though not the person I necessarily show. Let’s just see how the reader interprets them. Continue reading →

Tell us a little about yourself. I live in Cleveland, Ohio with my wonderful Hubby John of 4 years bliss. I have been writing since high school and have had a fascination with vampires even longer. I currently have 8 published works both traditionally and self published. I often get story ideas either from hubby or I dream them. I am a full time writer and love it! I enjoy spending time with hubby and family.

What project are you currently promoting? In Vein which will be out on Halloween 2013.

Tell us a little about it. It is going to be a vampire anthology with various authors that have graciously agreed to be part of this project. All proceeds are going to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital so as the book sells, our charity will be receiving donations from us.

What was the idea that helped you create this project? Your inspiration? Well, first, I wanted to do something for a charity and I’ve always loved St. Jude’s Children. The old commercials with the movie stars is something that has stuck in my head. Secondly, I love vampires and wanted to be able to include my own piece so I had to make it something that revolved around vampires. Third, many of us Authors are very close and willing to help each other out so I was fortunate to have found them and have them in my life (Thanks Ann, Tara, Tori, T.P., Mark K., Mark M, etc)

So, what’s the next project you’re working? I’m working on a short story with a Detective that is trying to solve some vampire-like crimes in her district. I’ve been doing research on criminal/police stuff so the story is coming along nicely. Also, I’m working with Snowflower Publishing where I write some short stories on the side.

Can you describe a little bit of your process when you work on a project. I get the idea, start writing (if it’s something I’ve dreamed) a short paragraph of things I’d like to include and then just start on the story. I always end up taking a short break on the story and hope I dream some sequences that I’m struggling with.

What do you do to combat writer’s block? As I said, I tend to dream things, otherwise, I set the story aside to either wait for an idea or do more research for the book.

What advice would give those prospective authors out there on the horizon? Keep going no matter what happens. When it is supposed to happen for you, it will.

Anything else you would like to share with us today-Thank you for having me on today!

C. Michael Powers: My real name is Christopher Powers. Michael is my middle name. I started using C. Michael Powers because my mother-in-law, for some reason, gets a kick out of calling me Michael. When I was designing my book cover, I decided to Google my name and it turns out there are a ton of people out there with the name Christopher Powers (from dentists to doctors to male prostitutes). How could I compete with that? I typed in C. Michael Powers and came up with nothing. It just kind of stuck. I use Christopher Powers when I’m writing about Panama and other non fiction articles and stories (or when I want to pull a tooth, cure someone, or pimp myself out).

DRB: Tell the readers a bit about yourself.

CMP: I was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and grew up a country boy. Having divorced parents is what whisked me into the whirlwind of cross-country travel. I moved back and forth, from one state to the other, until finally settling down in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A trip back to Oklahoma, when I was about 16, is what lead to my writing. My dad was out fishing with one of my brothers on Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. I decided to stay behind that day and watch TV with Grandpa. When Grandpa’s snoring drowned out the sound of the movie we were watching, I decided to take a stab at the old typewriter I’d seen on his bedroom desk. Once I started writing, I never stopped. I punched out a few chapters of my first book on that old machine. Thank God I didn’t go fishing.

DRB: How long have you been writing?

CMP: Since that old typewriter when I was 16. That would mean I’ve been writing about 18 years now. After that vacation to Oklahoma, I started handwriting novels. For anyone who doesn’t own a computer, that’s the solution. For many many years I wrote everything down in notebooks. It got to the point that my wife finally said, “That’s it. I can’t take it anymore. Get rid of these notebooks.” Having a notebook and a pen around means that you never have an excuse not to write.

DRB: What genre do you write?

CMP: That’s a tough question to answer. Right now my focus is on the dark fantasy/action horror genre (does that even exist?). I’ve dabbled in all kinds of genres though from a romantic comedy screenplay to short horror stories. It depends on the mood I’m in and what song is playing. I’ve gotten tons of novel and screenplay ideas from music. Hell, I’ve even written a musical screenplay. Oh and a line of children’s stories.

DRB: What genre do you personally read?

CMP: I’ve been trying to find books in my genre, but it’s difficult. I love the George R.R. Martin books in the Game of Thrones series (Song of Ice and Fire). However, I’m not really a regular fantasy kind of guy. I like the Lord of the Rings movies, but I don’t usually read that kind of fantasy. Same with horror. I love Bentley Little, but I can’t get through most horror novels. One of my favorite books is Battle Royale, which of course will lead to the discussion, which is better, Battle Royale or Hunger Games. I like any book in any genre that keeps the action moving.

DRB: Who’s your favorite author, right now?

CMP: I have two favorite authors. I already mentioned George R.R. Martin. I don’t know if character development gets any better than what that guy has done. I’ve learned a lot just reading his books. As far as pure enjoyment goes, I’m a huge Stephen Hunter fan. Something about a bad ass redneck getting revenge just quenches my thirst. I love it. I love all of the Swagger novels. If you’ve never read a Stephen Hunter book, do yourself a favor and pick one up.

DRB: What challenges do you face when writing? I find that, myself, that my other characters want their attention when writing.

CMP: I think my biggest challenge is trying to stay focused on one idea. I don’t suffer from writer’s block. I suffer from writer’s bombardment. It’s nuts. I’ll be really into one idea, and then I’ll get a crazy idea for another, and suddenly I’m just itching to start working on a totally different story line. I feel like my mind is a great big rottweiler and I’m constantly struggling to hold it back on the leash.

DRB: What was the inspiration for your book?

CMP: I think the idea first came to me when I was watching a prison movie. Actually, I think I was watching the TV show, Oz. I started thinking, what if all of the people in prison who claim to be innocent, really were? What if there was a violent doppleganger of sorts who did the dirty deed and left these dudes rotting away in prison, guilty as can be? Then, I thought, what if that doppleganger was the reflection in the mirror, just dying to break free from his/her world and come into ours where they can do what they do best, kill or cause destruction?

DRB: Is there any message in the book you want your readers to know about?

CMP: I think overall, after all of the books in the series have come out, there might be a message relayed, but I try not to deal with messages. I just want to produce a kick ass joyride where people can lose themselves in the action and excitement going on.

DRB: What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

CMP: Just write. If you’re always thinking about what you’re going to write and how you’re going to get published, you’ll never get it started and therefore, will never get it done. Just do it. Things have changed. Back in the day, you really had to be super lucky to break into one of the top publishing houses. Really, you still do. However, you don’t have to worry about those big publishing houses. Just write and then self publish or go through one of the smaller publishing houses. If nothing else, just write the book. You’ll feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment when you reach the last page and you say to yourself, “The End.”

DRB: What’s next on your plate?

CMP: Ha. Like I said, I have a hard time holding back that rottweiler. I’m working on book 2 of the Mirror Images stories, but also working on two other books, in the same kick ass dark fantasy genre, but different from Mirror Images. I’m crazy excited about all of this. I’ve just got so much to put down on virtual ink and real paper. I can’t wait.

That was C Michael Powers. Check out his novel, Mirror Images,due out April 15th from GMTA Publishing